Transfer system



Sept. '25, 1956 c. LlSClANl TRANSFER SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 27, 1950 Sept. 25, 1956 c, sc I 2,764,317

TRANSFER SYSTEM Filed Nov. 27, '1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept, 25, 1956 c. LlSClANl I TRANSFER SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 2'7, 1950 flawj I WWA I E j o I y I United Stats TRANSFER SYSTEM Application November 27, 1950, Serial No. 197,711

21 Claims. (Cl. 222-109) The present invention relates to a liquid transfer sys tem, and more particularly to a system for transferring hazardous liquids.

The handling of hazardous liquids, such as gasoline, kerosene, and the like, always presents a problem of safety to those persons handling such liquids. Quite often the containers of hazardous liquids have no means for properly venting the same while a portion of the liquid is being drawn off during a transfer operation. Known means for venting containers of hazardous liquids during transfer are quite often the cause of accidents in that volatile vapors escape from the container through the transfer means. This happens quite frequently if the liquid within the container is at a low level. Should an excess of pressure be built up within a container having a known transfer means mounted thereon, due to a fire in the vicinity, or the like, no means is provided for bleeding off the excess pressure at a rate sufliciently fast to prevent an explosion. Spillage of the liquid during transfer in the area immediately surrounding the container also gives rise to a dangerous condition. As the equipment heretofore used in known transfer systems is relatively bulky, not easily adjusted for use with different types of containers, and does not include means for counteracting the above mentioned dangerous conditions, such systems have not been totally satisfactory.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a novel liquid transfer system for accomplishing the safe transfer of hazardous liquids.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel liquid transfer system for use with hazardous liquids which includes a safe means for venting the container of such liquids upon the system being mounted on the container.

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel and safe means for use with a hazardous liquid transfer system for returning spilled liquid to the container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hazardous liquid transfer system including an improved liquid transfer pump which is relatively light in weight, easily handled, and provides a steady, non-pulsating stream almost immediately after being actuated.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a hazardous liquid transfer system which can be mounted on any type container of such liquids, and can be easily adjusted and positioned to facilitate removal of liquid from the container.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a hazardous liquid transfer system for use with containers of such liquids, the system having flame arrestor strainers situated therein at different critical points so as to prevent explosions or fires occurring because of the leakage of vapors from containers through the system.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a hazardous liquid transfer system including means for venting the container on which the system is mounted through a protecting flame arrestor screen.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision atent of a novel drip pan means for accumulating spilled liquid from a container of hazardous liquids during a transfer operation, and for returning such liquid to the container through a protecting flame arrestor screen.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a novel, hazardous liquid transfer system which can be easily adjusted for use on varying sized containers of such liquids, and which is of light weight and durable construction.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of an improved transfer pump for use in a hazardous liquid transfer system which provides an effectively sealed closure for the system.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of a novel vacuum breaker device for use with a hazardous liquid transfer system which assures proper operation of the system and prevents undue drippage or spilling of the liquid handled by the system.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters represent like or corresponding parts, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a novel liquid transfer system for use with hazardous liquids, showing the system mounted on a container of hazardous liquids;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of a coupling connector and vacuum breaker device comprising a part of the system shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the coupling connector shown in Fig. 2, but illustrating its use with a different type of discharge nozzle incorporated in the system shown in Pig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a liquid transfer pump utilized in the system shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, of a second type of intake or suction pipe section for use in place of the intake pipe section of the system shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, of a third form of intake pipe section suitable for use with the system shown in Fig. l; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the vacuum breaker device shown in Fig. 2.

In practicing the invention, a liquid transfer system for use in transferring hazardous liquids from one type of container to another is provided. The system includes a liquid transfer pump having intake and outlet ports. Connected to the intake ports of the pump is a telescoping intake pipe section preferably having a flame arrestor screen fixed to its free or intake end. The pump and intake pipe section is preferably mounted on the container from which liquid is to be transferred by adapter means concentrically surrounding the intake pipe section and supporting the pump. The adapter means has a larger inside diameter than the outside diameter of the intake pipe section, and if desired, may have a plurality of apertures venting the annular area defined between the outside diameter of the intake pipe section and the inside diameter of the adapter means to the atmosphere. Should the apertures be provided in the adapter means, a flame arrester strainer is also mounted therein for effectively isolating the annular area defined by the adapter means from the atmosphere thereby providing a safe vent for the container. The adapter means may also support a removable drip pan which is optional in the system. The drip pan consists of a pan-shaped receptacle portion having a drain centrally disposed therein, and a hollow supporting arm portion for operatively connecting the drain to the annular area defined by the adapter means and the intake pipe section.

As a safety measure, a flame arrestor strainer is provided for covering the drain. To minimize the leakage of volatile vapors through the transfer system, a transfer pump is provided which comprises a housing having intake and outlet ports, a rotor rotatably supported in the housing for moving liquid between the intake and outlet ports, pump operating means, a drive shaft operatively connected to the pump operating means and to the rotor, and a removable face plate closing the side of the housing opposite that side-journaling the shaft. The drive shaft is extended to engage the face plate in such a manner that transverse vibrations of the rotor are prevented, and the side of the housing to which the base plate is fixed has a face plate receiving seat having a substantially U-shaped groove formed therein about the periphery of its face plate receiving surface. A gasket ring is fitted in the U-shaped groove and cooperates with the seat to provide a gasket, as well as a metal to metal sealed closure for the interior of the pump. By this construction of the pump, the liquid transfer system is effectively sealed by the pump so that the escape of volatile vapors from the container on which the system is used, as well as leakage of the hazardous liquid in the vicinity of the pump, is prevented.

Connected to the outlet port of the pump is a second outlet pipe section having a coupling connector mounted thereon. The coupling connector has at least one convenience outlet therein for connection to a discharge nozzle or hose, and a flame arrestor strainer supported therewithin for isolating the outlet pipe section from the convenience outlet. In a preferred form of the invention, a vacuum breaker device is operatively connected to the coupling connector for preventing the retention of liquid within a long discharge hose after operation of the system has ceased; however, such a device is not needed if a short discharge hose is used. If the last mentioned type of hose is used, it is preferably made of a flexible conductive material so that it can be easily handled, and will not accumulate a static charge of electricity.

Referring now to Fig. .1 of the drawings, the liquid transfer system comprising the invention is shown mounted on a container of hazardous liquid to be transferred to a portable container, or the like. The transfer system includes a liquid transfer pump 11L having intake and outlet ports indicated at 12 and 13, respectively, and having a fuel intake pipe section 14, 16 connected to its intake port. Pipe section 14, 16 comprises an upper, larger diameter portion 14 that is connected directly to the intake port of transfer pump 11, and a lower, smaller diameter portion 16 having one end telescoped within the upper portion 14, and a flame arrestor strainer 17, such as that described in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,457,976 to L. Kessler, supported on its free or intake end. Transfer pump 11 and pipe section 14, 16 are mounted on container 10 by adaptor means which may include a bung adaptor 18 having an integral handle, an adaptor coupler 19 mounted on bung adaptor 18 by means of a lock collar or twirler 21, an apertured adaptor coupler or vent and pressure relief adaptor 22 operatively supported on adaptor coupler 19 by means of a swivel lock collar 23, and a novel, removable drip pan 24 that is optional in the system. The inside diameter of each of bung adaptor 18 and adaptor coupler 19 and 22 is of such dimension that the adaptor means comprised of these members has a larger inside diameter than the outside diameter of pipe section 14 and defines an annular passageway for venting the container 10. It is to be understood that the outside diameters of adaptors 18, 19 and 22 may be varied for use with any size bung. Supported in apertured vent and pressure relief adaptor 22 is a flame arrestor strainer 26, similar in construction to strainer 17 and which serves to isolate the annular area defined by the adaptor means and pipe section 14 from the atmosphere accessible through the apertures in apertured vent and pressure relief adaptor 22.

Connected to the output side of transfer pump 11 is a second outlet pipe section 27 having a goose-neck shape, and a coupling connector 28 connected to its outlet end. As is best shown in Fig. 2, coupling connector 28 has at least one, and preferably two, convenience outlets 29 and 31 formed therein, and as best shown in Fig. 3, has a flame arrestor strainer 32 that is similar to strainer 17 supported therewithin. In the embodiment of the transfor system shown in Fig. 1, the system is provided with a long, tubular, flexible discharge hose 33 connected to convenience outlet 29 and terminating in nozzle 34. Because of the length of hose 33, this embodiment of the invention must be provided with a vacuum breaker device 36, best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. However, as is best seen in Fig. 3, the system may be provided with a short length nozzle 37 in which event the vacuum breaker device is not necessary.

When the short length nozzle 37 is used with the system shown in Fig. 1, the drip pan 24 is also provided. Drip pan 24 includes a circular, pan-shaped portion 38 having a central drain 39 and supported by an integral hollow supporting arm portion 41. Seated in the drain 3% is a flame arrestor strainer 42 that has a different configuration but is similar in construction to strainer 17, and that serves to isolate the upper surface of the panshaped portion 38 from the hollow in supporting arm 421. The end of arm 41 opposite pan portion 33 is provided with attaching means which includes an externally threaded, hollow neck 43 diametrically opposite an internally threaded, hollow neck 44, the inside diameters of both neck 43 and neck 44 being greater than the outside diameter of pipe section 14. By this construction, spilled liquid collected by the pan-shaped receptacle 38 is returned through hollow arm 41 to the annular passageway defined by the outside diameter of pipe section 14 and the inside diameters of the adaptor means and the attaching means of drip pan 24.

The transfer system illustrated in Fig. 1 can be used to pump a hazardous liquid from a container such as 10 to a second portable container that may be supported on the ground, or in the drip pan 24 if such is used. Because of the telescoping construction of pipe section 14, 16, the system may be mounted on any type container or drum, and in the event that the withdrawal of emptying bung of the container is positioned near the end of one of its sides, rather than in its end portion as shown in Fig. 1, the pipe sections may be telescopically adjusted to fit in the side of the container. The entire assembly is preferably made of an aluminum alloy so that it is light and can be easily moved about. During the time that liquid is being withdrawn from container it the space above the liquid is vented by means of the annular passageway defined by the outer dimensions of pipe section 14, and the inner dimensions of adaptor means 18, 19 and 22. The flame arrestor strainer 26 serves to isolate this area from the atmosphere, and therefore absolutely prevents the application of any ignition temperature to gases accumulating in the space above the liquid. Likewise, the flame arrestor strainer 17 prevents the entrance of an ignition temperature through pipe section 14, 16 to the interior of container it). in the event that the drip pan assembly 24 is provided with the system, the apertured bung adaptor 22 may be dispensed with, and the annular passageway vented to the atmosphere through the flame arrestor strainer 42 in drain 3?. in addition to venting the container, the drip pan also serves to return spilled liquid to the container through supporting arm 41 and the annular area. in the preferred construction of the system, however, the apertured bung adaptor 22 and flame arrestor strainer 26 are provided. By reason of the coupling connector 28 provided in the output pipe section 27 of the transfer system, either the long, fiexbile hose 33, shown in Fig.

1 of the drawings, or the short hose 37, shown'in Fig. 3, may be used to discharge liquid into a second container. With either type of discharge hose, a flame arrestor screen 32, shown in Fig. 3, is provided so as to prevent the application of an igniting temperature to liquid trapped in the outlet pipe section 27. With the long, flexible hose 33 used on the system, the vacuum breaker device 36, shown in Fig. 2, must be provided so that liquid will not be retained in the hose by the vacuum ordinarily produced therein when the pump 11 ceases operating. This prevents spillage of dangerous and flammable liquids about the container 10 should the hose 33 be subsequently jarred or otherwise disturbed with liquid suspended in it. When the short hose 37 shown in Fig. 3 is used, a vacuum breaker device need not be provided with the system for the problem would not arise with such a short section of discharge hose. The short hose 37 is preferably constructed of flexible, conductive material so that it may be easily inserted in a portable container that can be seated on drip pan 24 and, at the same time, prevent the accumulation of a static charge of electricity on its end portion, thereby doing away with any possibility of igniting explosive vapors giving off during the transfer operation. As the adaptor means 18, 19 and 22 are each removably supported in place, either by its own attaching means, consisting mainly of threaded portions, or by the removable lock collars 21 and 23, the system can be easily broken down and reorganized for use on any type container having varying sized bungs. This feature, in addiiton to. the feature of the telescoping suction pipe section, makes the system easily adapted for use in many different kinds of installations having varying conditions under which the system must be operated. By reason of the venting of the container through apertured bung adapter 22, or drain 39, or both, the system can transfer relatively large volumes of liquid in a short period of time. This is accomplished without enhancing the possibility of an explosion of the volatile vapors trapped within the container in any manner whatsoever. Further, the provision of a venting passageway that is separate from the liquid column being transferred allows a pump that is capable of providing a gas-tight closure for the liquid transfer passageway, as well as much greater output pressures, to be used in the system. This feature makes possible the provision of a steady, non-pulsating stream of liquid almost immediately after the system is placed in operation without increasing in any manner the danger of explosion or fire during, or after the transfer operation.

Referring now to Fig. 5 of the drawings, an alternative embodiment of the intake pipe section 14, 16 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the pipe section includes an upper, smaller diameter portion 46 having an increased diameter lower end 47, and a lower, larger diameter portion 48 having an upper decreased diameter end t9. End 4-9 is telescoped over portion 46 and cooperates with portion 47 to maintain the two portions 46 and 48 in assembled relation. By reason of this construction, the annular area defined around the outer surface of the upper pipe portion 46 and the inner surface of the adaptor means indicated by a bung adaptor 118, may be increased. This, in effect, increases the venting passageway provided for the vapors accumulating over the top of the liquid contained within a container 110 on which the system is used.

Adverting next to Fig. 6 of the drawings, a third form of intake pipe construction is illustrated. With this form, an increased venting passageway is obtained by means of a pipe portion 51 having an increased diameter segment 52 that terminates in a decreased diameter end 53. Telescopically fitted in an increased diameter segment 52 is a lower, smaller diameter pipe portion 54 having an increased diameter end 56 that cooperates with the end 53 to retain the two pipe portions in assembled relation. The decreased diameter pipe portion 51 is concentrically surrounded by adaptor means indicated by a hung adapter 218, corersponding to bung adaptor 18 of the adaptor means shown in Fig. 1, and is supported on a container 210 in such a manner that a larger, annular passageway is provided for venting gases accumulating in the top of the container 210.

With reference now to Fig. 4 of the drawings, the transfer pump 11 includes an outer housing 57 constructed of an aluminum alloy and having an inner cylindrical cavity 58 formed therein with intake and outlet ports 12 and 13 providing access to cavity 58. Rotatably supported within housing 57 is a rotor 59 also constructed of an aluminum alloy and having a plurality of springbiased, radially moving vanes 61. Vanes 61 move liquid between the intake and outlet ports 12 and 13, and are constructed of graphite carbon, or, if desired, some plastic material such as Teflon, Saran, etc. As is best shown in Fig. l of the drawings, rotor 59 is keyed to a drive shaft 62 journaled in one side of housing 57, and connected to an operating handle 63. The side of housing 57 opposite that side journaling shaft 62 is close-d by a circular face plate 64, and shaft 62 has an elongated, decreased diameter portion 66 that is extended to engage face plate 64 when the face plate is drawn up tightly against housing 57. By this construction, elongated shaft portion 66 prevents transverse vibrations of rotor 59, thereby increasing the life of the pump, as well as preserving its fluid-tight capacity. As is shown in Fig. 4, face plate 64 is adapted to be seated in a circular face plate receiving seat formed in housing 57, and the face plate receiving seat has an annular, substantially U- shaped groove 67 formed therein about the periphery of its face plate receiving surface. A gasket ring 68, shown in Fig. 1, is fitted in the groove 6'7 so that face plate 64 is provided with a gasket, as well as metal to metal seal, for closing the interior of pump housing 57. This construction greatly increased the fluid-tight capacity of transfer pump .11, allowing for the maintenance of a substantially gas-tight closure in the liquid transfer passage when the system is not in operation, and assuring that a stream of liquid is provided by the pump almost immediately after being operated.

Adverting next to Fig. 7, the construction of the vacuum breaker device 36 illustrated in Fig. 2 is shown. The device includes a cup-shaped member 71 having a plurality of apertures 72 therein, and having operable attaching means comprising internal threading on its upper end. Threaded in the top of cup member 71 is a centrally chambered cap 73 having a central chamber 74 formed therein, with a pair of threaded apertures '76 and 77 providing access thereto. Aperture 77 has a centrally bored tube 78 supported therein which extends into cup-shaped member 71. The upper end of tube 78 supports a ball check valve 79 that is disposed in chamber 74 and closes the bore in tube 73. Aperture 76 has a second, centrally bored tube 31 supported therein, with its free end having attaching means comprising external threading thereon for securing the entire device to a coupling connector, such as that shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. In order that the ball check valve 79 work properly, a small piece of solder, or the like, 82, is placed inside the end of tube 81, and prevents the ball 79 from entering the sticking in the passage of tube 81. By this construction, the vacuum breaker device can be quickly assembled, and can be made up of standard parts that are easily and cheaply obtained.

Assuming the device 36 is mounted on the system shown in Pig. 2, and that the transfer pump 11 has ceased operating at a time when there is a continuous liquid column contained in hose 33 and outlet pipe section 27, then most of the liquid contained within the hose 33 will be drawn out by means of gravity. This action results in the creation of a partial vacuum which tends to retain a certain amount of the liquid in hose 33. Should this occur, and the hose be subsequently shaken, liquid would be spilled in the immediate vicinity of the container 10, thereby giving rise to a dangerous condition. To prevent the retention of liquid in hose 33, the vacuum breaker device is provided. Upon the occurrence of a partial vacuum in the hose 33, ball check valve 79 is partially raised an amount sufficient to allow air from the apertures 72 to enter hose 33 through the bores of tubes 78 and 31, respectively, thereby breaking the vacuum. Should any overflow occur during this operation, cup-shape member 71 catches the same, allowing it to be subsequently evaporated through apertures 72. As the vacuum breaker device is isolated from the liquid column in pipe section 27 by flame arrestor strainer 32 in coupling connector 29, the collection of liquid in cup-shaped member 71 does not endanger the main body of liquid in the transfer system and container 10.

From the foregoing description, it can be appreciated that the invention provides a novel, fluid transfer system for hazardous liquids which, by reason of a plurality of flame arrestor strainers placed at critical points throughout its length, insures against the creation of conditions enhancing the possibility of an accidental explosion or fire during or after transfer of hazardous liquid from its container. By reason of its novel construction, the transfer system accomplishes protected venting of the space above the liquid in the container during the transfer operation so that the liquid can be transferred at a maximum speed without, in any manner, increasing the possibility of an explosion of the gases being vented. The system is composed of a number of easily disassembled parts, and has a telescoping suction pipe section so that it can be readily adapted for use with any type of container or drum. It is designed in such a manner that a steady, non-pulsating stream is provided almost immediately after the system is placed in operation, and can be used under many varying conditions. Additionally, the invention makes available a novel, detachable drip pan structure that allows the system comprising the invention to be used in transferring hazardous liquids to small, portable containers. By reason of the fire protected return of spilled liquid to the main liquid container provided by the drip pan, spillage caused by overfilling of small, portable containers need not be feared.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing rom the spirit of my invention; hence, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A liquid transfer system including in combination a liquid transfer pump having intake and outlet ports, a liquid intake pipe comprising telescoping upper and lower intake pipe sections operatively connected to the intake port of said pump, a flame arrestor strainer fixed to said lower intake pipe section on the intake end thereof, and adaptor means for mounting said pump and said liquid intake pipe on a liquid container, said adaptor means ineluding a vent and pressure relief adaptor for connecting the adaptor means to the transfer pump and also adapted for venting and relieving the pressure of the container when the adaptor means is operatively connected to the container, said liquid intake being telescopically adjustable for use with desired size container.

2. A liquid transfer system including in combination a liquid transfer pump having intake and outlet ports, a telescoping intake pipe section operatively connected to the intake port of said pump, said pipe section being tele scopically adjustable for use with any desired size container, and adaptor means operatively connected to the intake port of said pump for adjustably mounting the transfer pump with respect to the container and having a larger inside diameter than the outside diameter of said pipe section for mounting said pump and said pipe section on a liquid container, said pipe section extending through said adaptor means and operatively connected to the intake port of said pump, said adaptor means including an adaptor member being annular in shape and chambered forming an annular vent and pressure relief adaptor, said vent and pressure relief adaptor provided with a plurality of apertures therein and concentrically surrounding said pipe section and spaced therefrom, said apertures in conjunction with the annular area defined between the outside diameter of said pipe section and the inside diameter of said adaptor means and vent and pressure relief adaptor serving to vent the liquid container upon which the assembly is mounted to the atmosphere, whereby a pressure and vacuum relief for the liquid transfer system is provided.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 further characterized by an annular flame arrestor screen mounted in the chamber of said annular vent and pressure relief adaptor and serving to isolate the apertures in said vent and pressure relief adaptor from the annular area defined by said adaptor means in conjunction with said pipe section, whereby the pressure and vacuum relief for the liquid transfer system is provided through the flame arrestor screen operatively connected to the atmosphere through the aforesaid apertures.

4. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said telescoping pipe section includes an upper larger diameter portion extending through said adaptor means and said annular vent and pressure relief adaptor and having one end operatively connected to the inlet opening of said pump and forming the annular area, the remaining end of the upper larger diameter portion reduced to a diameter smaller than the remainder of said portion, and said pipe section further including a lower smaller diameter portion having the diameter of one end thereof increased to cooperate with the decreased diameter end of said upper portion to retain said portions in assembled relation, and a flame arrestor strainer fixed to and cover ing the remaining free end of said lower portion of the telescoping pipe section thus formed.

5. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said telescoping pipe section includes an upper smaller diameter portion extending through said adaptor means and vent and pressure relief adaptor and having one end operatively connected to the inlet opening of said pump and forming the annular area, the remaining end of the upper smaller diameter increased to a diameter larger than the remainder of said portion, and a lower larger diameter portion having the diameter of one end thereof decreased to cooperate with the increased diameter end of said upper portion to retain said portions in assembled relation, and a flame arrestor strainer fixed to and covering the remaining free end of said lower portion of the telescoping pipe section thus formed.

6. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said telescoping pipe section includes an upper, integral twosegment pipe portion, said portion having a smaller diameter segment extending through said adaptor means and vent and pressure relief adaptor and operatively conected to the inlet opening of said pump and integral with a larger diameter segment, said smaller diameter segment forming the annular area, the free end of said larger diameter segment being reduced to a smaller diameter, and said pipe section further including a lower smaller diameter pipe portion having a larger diameter and cooperating with the smaller diameter free end of said upper pipe portion to retain said pipe portions in assembled relation whereby the lower pipe portion can be telescoped within the larger diameter segment of said upper pipe portion, and a flame arrestor strainer covering the free end of said lower pipe portion.

7. A liquid transfer system adapted for use either with or Without a drip pan and including in combination a liquid transfer pump having intake and outlet ports, an intake pipe section operatively connected to the intake port of said pump, adaptor means including an apertured adaptor coupler and having a larger inside diameter than the outside diameter of said pipe section concentrically surrounding said pipe section and designed for mounting said pump and said pipe section on a liquid container, a removable drip pan operatively supported by said adaptor means, a lock collar operatively connecting said apertured adaptor coupler and drip pan, an annular flame arrestor screen operatively mounted in said apertured adaptor coupler, said drip pan including a drain portion, a flame arrestor strainer covering said drain, and a hollow supporting arm portion operatively connecting said drain to the annular area defined by said adaptor means in conjunction with the outside diameter of said pipe section, said intake pipe section adapted to extend through said annular flame arrestor and said hollow supporting arm portion of said drip pan, said drip pan serving to vent a liquid container upon which the system is mounted to the atmosphere and to return spilled or waste liquid to said container, and said apertured adaptor coupler adapted to form a pressure and vacuum relief for the liquid transfer system through the annular flame arrestor screen operatively connected to the atmosphere through the apertured adaptor coupler, whereby said liquid transfer system may be operative with pressure and vacuum relief with the drip pan detached.

8. A drip pan for use with a hazardous liquid transfer system for use with or without a drip pan and including a liquid transfer pump and an apertured adaptor coupler and a flame arrestor therefor, said drip pan including a lock collar adapted to detachably connect the drip pan to the transfer pump through the apertured adaptor coupler and comprising a circular pan-shaped receptacle having a drain portion disposed therein, a hollow supporting arm having one end connected to and supporting said drip pan and attaching means on the remaining end thereof for mounting said drip pan in assembled relation with a liquid transfer system, the hollow in said supporting arm being operatively connected with said drain portion to provide a return passageway for spilled liquids, and a flame arrestor strainer seated in said drain portion for effectively isolating the return passageway from said pan-shaped receptacle, whereby said apertured adaptor coupler provides a pressure and vacuum relief for the liquid transfer system through the flame arrestor screen operatively connected to the atmosphere through the apertured adaptor coupler when a container to be filled is positioned upon the drip pan and when the liquid transfer system is used without a drip pan.

9. A light weight transfer system including in combination a light Weight liquid transfer pump having intake and outlet ports, an intake pipe section operatively connected to the intake port of said pump, a flame arrestor strainer fixed to said pipe section on the intake end thereof, and adaptor means adapted for mounting either said pump and said telescoping pipe section or said pump, telescoping pipe section and drip pan on a liquid container, said pipe section being telescopically adjustable for use with any desired size container, and said adaptor means having a larger inside diameter than the outside diameter of said pipe section for mounting said pump and said pipe section on a liquid container, said adaptor means including an adaptor coupler having a plurality of apertures therein and concentrically surrounding said pipe section, said apertures in conjunction with the annular area defined between the outside diameter of said pipe section and the inside diameter of said adaptor means serving to vent the liquid container upon which the assembly is mounted to the atmosphere, an annular flame arrestor screen mounted within the adaptor coupler, whereby said adaptor coupler provides the liquid transfer system with pressure and vacuum relief and flame arresting when connected to a container with or without a drip pan, said transfer pump including a housing having said intake and said outlet ports therein, a rotor having a plurality of radially moving vanes rotatably supported in said housing for moving liquid between said intake and outlet ports and providing a sealed closure for said liquid transfer system when not in operation, pump operating means, a drive shaft journaled in said housing and operatively connected to said pump operating means and to said rotor, and said adaptor coupler adapted to couple said pump either directly to the container or to a drip pan coupled between the pump and adaptor means.

10. A light weight liquid transfer pump for a hazardous liquid transfer system comprising a liquid transfer passageway and including a light weight housing provided with a cylindrical cavity and having intake and outlet ports therein, a light Weight rotor rotatably and eccentrically supported in said housing for moving liquid between said intake and outlet ports, and providing a gas tight closure for the liquid transfer passageway, a crescent-shaped cavity formed by said eccentrically supported rotor in said cylindrical cavity of the housing, said inlet and outlet ports operatively connected to said crescent-shaped cavity, at least three angularly spaced and spring-biased radially moving vanes operatively mounted on the eccentrically supported rotor and operatively engaging the inner periphery of the cylindrical cavity, pump operating means, a drive shaft journaled in said housing and operatively connected to said operating means and to said rotor, said shaft being extended to engage the side of said pump housing opposite the side in which it is journaled whereby transverse vibrations of said rotor are prevented.

11. A light weight liquid transfer pump for a hazardous liquid transfer system comprising a liquid transfer passageway and including a light weight housing provided with a cylindrical cavity and having intake and outlet ports therein to provide for the transfer of liquid therethrough, a light weight rotor rotatably and eccentrically supported in said housing for moving liquid between said intake and outlet ports, a crescent-shaped cavity formed by said eccentrically supported rotor in said cylindrical cavity of the housing, said inlet and outlet ports operatively connected to said crescent-shaped cavity, a plurality of angularly spaced and spring-biased radially moving vanes operatively mounted on the eccentrically supported rotor and operatively engaging the inner periphery of the cylindrical cavity, a face plate for closing one side of said housing, said one side of said housing having a face plate receiving seat formed about its periphery, said seat having a substantially U-shaped groove formed therein about the periphery of its face plate receiving surface, and a gasket ring fitted in said U-shapcd groove, said ring and said seat cooperating to provide a gasket as well as metalto metal sealed closure for the interior of said pump housing upon said face plate being fitted thereon and providing a gas tight closure for the liquid transfer passageway.

12. A lightweight liquid transfer pump for a hazardous liquid transfer system comprising a liquid transfer passageway and including a light weight housing provided with a cylindrical cavity and having intake and outlet ports therein, a light weight rotor rotatably and eccentrically supported in said housing for moving liquid between said intake and outlet ports, a crescent-shaped cavity formed by said eccentrically supported rotor in said cylindrical cavity of the housing, said inlet and outlet ports operatively connected to said crescent-shaped cavity, at least three angularly shaped and spring-biased radially moving vanes operatively mounted on the eccentrically supported rotor and operatively engaging the inner periphery of the cylindrical cavity, vpump operating means, a drive shaft journaled in said housing and operatively connected to said operating means and to said rotor, a removable face plate closing the side of said housing opposite that side journaling said shaft, said shaft being extended to engage said face plate whereby transverse vibrations of said rotor are prevented, the side of said housing to which said face plate is fixed having a face plate receiving seat formed therein, said seat having a substantially U-shaped groove formed therein about the periphery of its face plate receiving surface, and a gasket ring fitted in said U- shaped groove, said ring and said seat cooperating to provide a gasket as well as metal to metal sealed closure for the interior of said pump housing upon said face plate being fitted thereon, whereby a gas tight closure for the liquid transfer passageway is formed by the liquid transfer pump.

13. A liquid transfer system including in combination a liquid transfer pump having intake and outlet ports, an intake pipe ection operatively connected to the intake port of said pump, a flame arrestor strainer fixed to the in take end of said pipe section, adaptor means having a larger inside diameter than the outside diameter of said pipe section for mounting said pump and said pipe section on a liquid container, said adapter means comprising an adaptor coupler having a plurality of apertures therein and concentrically surrounding said pipe section, said apertures in conjunction with the annular area defined between the outside diameter of said pipe section and the inside diameter of said adaptor means serving to vent the liquid container upon which the assembly is mounted to the atmosphere, a flame arrestor screen mounted within said adaptor coupler and serving to isolate the apertures in said adaptor coupler from said annular area, a second pipe section connected to the outlet port of said pump, a coupling connector having at least one convenience outlet therein for connection to a discharge hose connected to said second pipe section, and a flame arrestor screen mounted n said coupling connector and serving to isolate said second pipe section from said convenience outlets.

14. The combination set forth in claim 13 further characterized by a removable drip pan operatively supported by said adaptor means, said drip pan including a drain portion, a flame arrestor strainer covering said drain, and a hollow supporting arm portion operatively connecting said drain to the annular area defined by said adaptor means in conjunction with the outside diameter of said pipe section, said drip pan serving to vent a liquid con: tainer upon which the system is mounted to the atmosphere and to return spilled or waste liquid to the container and said adaptor coupler adapted to operatively mount said drip pan to said pump continguous to the intake port thereof and operatively connecting the apertures of the adaptor coupler through the hollow supporting arm portion to the annular area defined by the adaptor means.

15. The combination set forth in claim 13 further characterized by a vacuum breaker device comprising an apertured cup and check value means operatively connected to said coupling connector. 16. The combination set forth in claim 13 further characterized by a vacuum breaker device operatively counected to said couplin connector, said vacuum breaker device including a cup-shaped member having a plurality of apertures in the side thereof, a centrally chambered cap member having a pair of apertures providing access to the central chamber therein, said cap member covering the top of said cup-shaped member, a centrally bored tube supported in one of the apertures in said cap and extending into said cup-shaped member, a ball-check valve disposed in said chamber closing the bore in said tube, and a second centrally bored tube supported in the remaining one of said apertures in said cap and secured to said coupling connector.

17. A vacuum breaker device for use with a liquid transfer passage of a hazardous liquid transfer system, said device including a cup-shaped member having a plurality of apertures in the side thereof, a centrally chambered cap member having a pair of apertures therein providing access to the central chamber thereof, said cap member covering the top of said cup-shaped member, a centrally bored tube supported in one of the apertures of said cap and extending into said cup-shaped member, a ball-check valve disposed in said chamber closing the bore in said tube, and a second centrally bored tube having one end supported in the remaining aperture in said cap and attaching means on its free end for securing said device to the liquid transfer passage of a hazardous fluid transfer system.

18. A liquid transfer system including in combination a liquid transfer pump having having intake and outlet ports, an intake pipe section operatively connected to the intake port of said pump, adaptor means having a larger inside diameter than the outside diameter of said pipe section concentrically surrounding said pipe section and designed for mounting said pump and said pipe section on a liquid container, and a removable drip pan operativeiy supported by said adaptor means, said drip pan including a drain portion, a flame arrestor strainer covering said drain, and hollow supporting arm portion operativeiy connecting said drain to the annular area defined by said adaptor means in conjunction with the outside diameter of said pipe section, said drip pan serving to vent a liquid container upon which the system is mounted to the atmosphere and to return spilled or waste liquid to the container, a second pipe section connected to the outlet port of said pump, a coupling connector having at least one convenience outlet therein for connection to a discharge hose connected to said second pipe section, and a flame arrestor screen mounted in said coupling connector and serving to isolate said second pipe section from said convenience outlet.

19. The combination set forth in claim 18 further characterized by a relatively short nozzle connected to said coupling connector for transferring liquid to a can or the like preferably seated in said drip pan, said nozzle being constructed of a flexible, electrically conductive material whereby the accumulation of a static charge of electricity thereon is prevented.

20. The combination with a liquid transfer system including a liquid transfer pump and a container for the liquid to be pumped, said container provided with a threaded bung opening, of a hollow bung adaptor means adapted to receive a fluid transfer pipe connecting the container to the pump and providing an annular opening including a threaded bung adaptor including a handle therefor for detachably mounting bung adaptor in the bung opening, an adaptor collar threaded at one end, and a lock collar including a handle and complementally formed to the adaptor collar to form a swivel connection, and said lock collar, adaptor collar, and bung adaptor complementally formed for relative movement to each other and adapted to be locked together as the lock collar is rotated in one direction and unlocked as the lock collar is rotated in the opposite direction, said lock collar and hung adaptor being complementally threaded and assembled together.

21. The combination with a liquid transfer system including a liquid transfer pump having an inlet opening and a container for the liquid to be pumped, said container provided with a threaded bung opening, of a threaded hollow apertured adaptor collar adapted to be attached and detached to the inlet opening of the pump, a drip pan including a drain portion having a hollow connection complementally formed to the lower end of the adaptor collar, a hollow lock collar including a handle and complementally formed to the adaptor collar to form a swivel connection and complementally threaded to the upper end of the hollow connection of the drip pan, and hollow bung adaptor means comprising a hollow adaptor collar whereby either the drip pan and pump are adapted to be detachably connected to the container or the drip pan, and lock collar of the bung adaptor means may be detached for directly mounting the pump and apertured lock collar on the bung adaptor means and detachably aflixed by the remaining lock collar.

(References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Coppel June 26, 1877 Townsend May 15, 1923 Kessler June 5, 1923 Spaeth Dec. 2, 1924 Schroeder July 28, 1925 Marden July 24, 1928 14 Blanchard Oct. 9, 1928 Schroeder Jan. 28, 1930 Wrona May 12, 1931 Wernple Mar. 29, 1932 Lauer July 4, 1944 Humbert Jan. 8, 1946 Wilson Nov. 27, 1951 Baugh et a1 Mar. 17, 1953 

